The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-05-09
A SERIOUS PRACTICAL JOKE.
How Supposed Sham Wedding
Turned Out To Dc n Real One.

emit of The 81. Louis Globe Democrat, an
old gentleman, rs years of age, whose
Early life, inclusive of love, courtship
md marriage, forms fitting basis for
l writer OF romance to weave there
rom an interesting story. But it is
just as interesting to the reader, per-
naps, to chronicle the actual events
connected Herewith. The old gentle
nan is Mr.. Richard Stoddard. He has
been q citizen of Coles county since
1888, and has been Identified with the
,ounty's growth.
Mr.. Stoddard is Que of the class of
men who never grow old in thought or
iction, always has possessed an admira-
lion for joke, has delighted in telling
hem to others and equally delighted in
having them perpetrated on himself.
In those early days of settlement in
illinois it was quite customary las in all
new countries, it seems) to tender con-
siderable license to practical joking.
About the time of which we write,
here lived in Charleston justice of
The peace named II. G. Dunbar. Dun
BAR was also q fun-loving individual
and Stoddard and he were in the habit
Of playing practical jokes from time to
lime on each other, which finally end
n a rather serious one.
1t seems that one bleak, dreary day
N the month of March, as disagreeable
rs March days can sometimes be. Mr..
Stoddard come to Dunbar and inform
I'd him that friend of his Dunbar 81
who resided some twenty miles from
Town, was to be married that day, and
sad requested that Squire Dunbar be
tent up to perform the ceremony.
Fees were things sought after more as
iduously then than now, marriage as
we'll as any other kind. and Dunbar.
nothing doubling, proceeded on the
Journey. Arriving at the place of des-
!ination. nearly frozen, he was appal-
ed to find it was only huge joke of
Stoddard's- He said nothing, but in
iulged inwardly in few pages from
profane history and backward turned
home. taking it good naturally and bid
.ng his time to pay off Stoddard in his
own coin. An opportunity presented
itself during the next winter.
1t was the custom of early settlers 70
get up mock weddings at their parties.
Of some couple who were particularly
sweet on each other, having the sham
ceremony performed by some sham Of
icial or sham clergyman. One of these
parties was given on Christmas eve
ning, 1874. and Dunbar. with the de-
sign of retaiating upon Stoddard, went
70 the county clerks Office, Samuel
Huffman being the clerk, and procured
A marriage license for Richard Stod-
lard and Catherine Rizor, young la
~ with whom he had been keeping
company for some time. Armed with
MS documents he proceeded TO the par
~, and engineered matters so success
July as to have Stoddard and Miss Riz-
Or partners for the ceremony. AS a
Justice of the peace, he was called on to
perform the supposed sham wedding.
Confronting the couple with due solem-
lity for a wedding, "for keeps" he
asked the usual questions required by
aw, was answered satisfactorily, and
wound up by saying that, as they were
lware, he was an officer authorized by
aw to perform the marriage ceremony,
lsked if it was their 'desire to be unit
I'd in holly wedlock." They answered
n the affirmative, and he, holding the
license in his hand (Which they suppos-
I'd to be nothing but blank piece of
,aper) went through the ceremony in
ull, received the responses, and sol
,mnly pronounced them man and
vife" He then turned away. made
tut the certificate with the usual wit
lesses, went over to the clerks office,
where he returned the certificate and
lad it recorded that night without
irving hint of the genuiueness of the
proceedings.
The next day, however, the matter
eaked out, and so many of Stoddard's
riends joked him about being married
so novel manner he went to the
Jerks office to investigate, and found
true. He went to the girl and in
ormed her what had occurred, when
mite an q scitement arose Of course